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Chapter 23
Gogyeol smiled faintly when he saw Yujeong show up holding a box filled with scripts and screenplays. He had assumed this kind of menial task would be done by Hyeonghun, so Yujeong’s sudden appearance was even more welcome.
“These are all the scripts and screenplays addressed to you, Mr. Gogyeol. Actually… this isn’t even all of them.”
“I’ve seen a few of these before.”
Taking the large box from her hands, he spoke while Yujeong stepped inside after taking off her shoes. She had promised herself she’d bring a gift on her second visit, but once again she had come empty-handed, too busy gathering scripts to buy anything.
“Oh no, I ended up coming empty-handed again. Next time I’ll really bring a gift.”
“So you’re planning to come again.”
When he replied playfully, Yujeong’s cheeks flushed red. It wasn’t even like the homeowner had formally invited her. She suddenly felt embarrassed, like she had gotten ahead of herself. Passing her without comment, Gogyeol set the box down on the wide living-room floor. As he skimmed through the pile of drama scripts and film screenplays, his hand stopped at one particular script.
“Ah, that one’s a historical drama.”
The script on top was the historical melodrama Windflower on the Cliff, the one Seol-ah had read and cried over.
“She cried while reading it?”
The pages, now dry, bore traces of having once been wet—crinkled and warped.
“It definitely—wasn’t me who cried.”
At her answer, his eyebrows twitched. Slowly, he picked up Windflower on the Cliff and started to read. Settling deeply into the sofa, he read with remarkable focus. She’d brought the script at midday, yet now, outside the wide glass windows, the sky was glowing with sunset.
Rustle. In the quiet house, the sound of pages turning filled the space. Each time it did, Yujeong’s gaze drifted toward his face. Watching his brows furrow, then relax into a faint smile, then suddenly harden—she couldn’t help admiring how one person’s face could contain so many different expressions.
“What do you think about this script, Ms. Chae Yujeong?”
Fidgeting with her fingers, she hesitated. There were many scripts in the box, but none felt as promising as Windflower on the Cliff. She wanted to appeal to him—just a bit more.
“That one is set in the Joseon era, right? Starting with the crown prince marrying a woman he doesn’t love… I found that introduction really interesting.”
He stopped flipping pages and looked straight at her.
“So what do you think about a loveless marriage?”
Yujeong opened her mouth like a startled fish. Secretary Yoon had intentionally sent her instead of Hyeonghun, believing Yujeong’s judgment would be more helpful when choosing projects. After all, successful works often needed to appeal equally to both male and female audiences. That balance was hard to find.
“In modern times, I think it’s completely possible. There are business marriages too, so I wouldn’t say it lacks plausibility.”
Her words were serious, but her expression was almost indifferent—at least, that’s how it looked to Gogyeol.
“So, because it’s plausible… you want to call it a good script?”
He was curious about why she cried reading this piece. Why would a bride-to-be cry over a story of a king entering a loveless marriage? It wasn’t as if the heroine openly declared she didn’t love the man.
“A good script is something you need to decide.”
“…Weren’t you staying to give me advice?”
His grip tightened on the script.
“I won’t deny that. But to me, a good script isn’t one that moved me—it’s the one you choose. The only advice I can give is that… while you read this script, your eyes kept wavering.”
At that moment, Gogyeol slowly took hold of her wrist. Startled, Yujeong looked at him. His eyes were shimmering with a fragile, yearning light.
“Can’t you… not get married?”
Her heart dropped at the quiet elegance of his voice. She even felt as if she could hear Seol-ah’s teasing—saying his noble tone was perfect for a historical drama.
“…H-huh? What are you—”
“Just live with me.”
Her trembling gaze lowered to his hand around her wrist. Something felt foreign—strange. She suddenly felt afraid. This didn’t feel like the Gogyeol she knew. The unfamiliarity itself made it hard to breathe.
“……”
“Forget that loveless marriage. Just live with me.”
He finished speaking and stared directly into her eyes. Her heart began pounding violently. Shocked by the emotion she felt toward an actor under her care, she jerked her hand away. The back of his hand reddened from the impact, but he didn’t react. He simply held the script out to her.
“……”
Realizing belatedly that it had been a line from the script, Yujeong let out a hollow laugh.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were acting. This was a line, huh.”
After skimming the script briefly, she smiled in satisfaction. If he could express emotion so deeply, then Windflower on the Cliff was guaranteed to succeed.
“No matter how I look at it, this drama seems great. Maybe it’s because I got swept up in your acting just now… but I want to start with this one.”
Watching her bright smile, he pushed his hair back. Closing his eyes, he didn’t reply. Sensing something off about him today, she studied his expression cautiously.
“Shouldn’t I go now?”
As a dark shadow consumed half the living room, he asked in a low voice. Checking the time on her phone, she blinked.
“Oh wow, it’s really this late already.”
It was well past dinnertime. Smiling awkwardly, she stood up quickly.
“How about this Saturday?”
“…What?”
“Let’s meet then.”
She hesitated. This Saturday was Seol-ah’s wedding, so it would be hard to come here.
“We’ll see each other at the wedding anyway.”
At that, Yujeong flashed a bright smile.
“Oh, you must’ve gotten an invitation from CEO Baek. I didn’t realize. Then, let’s talk more at the wedding. Have a lovely evening.”
On Friday afternoon, reports came out that Baek Jung-oh, second son of Chairman Baek of Baekun Group, would be holding a secret wedding over the weekend at one of the group’s hotels. There was so much public interest that several articles emphasized enhanced security and total privacy.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such a luxurious wedding, ma’am,” Secretary Yoon whispered beside Yujeong. The hotel wedding hall, sparkling under its grand chandeliers, was breathtaking. Though held privately on Saturday morning, the guest list was enormous.
“They look really happy.”
Secretary Yoon nodded. Since all the guests were prominent figures from various fields, no one dared gossip about the actress bride.
“But the order of the photo sessions is a bit strange. I thought family photos were usually taken first, then friends’ photos… but they’re doing the friends first?”
Yujeong also tilted her head. After everyone except the family left the hall, only the key people remained—Yoon’s secretary team, and Yujeong and Yoon Secretary there for Seol-ah.
“Are they waiting for someone…?”
Hearing that, Yujeong looked at the groom. She remembered reading that he had an older brother. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen him today. She had just noticed CEO Baek looking uneasy when suddenly his face brightened.
“Huh? Actor Gogyeol?”
Following Secretary Yoon’s voice, Yujeong turned—and saw Gogyeol, looking unusually pale. His neatly styled hair was slightly disheveled today. Even the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, as if he’d rushed.
“Well, at least you made it in time for the photos?”
As CEO Baek approached cheerfully, Gogyeol tilted his head slightly—then stiffened when he saw the bride. He took a step back in shock.
“Where’s Ms. Chae Yujeong…?”
“The CEO? She’s over there.”
When Seol-ah smiled brightly and waved toward Yujeong, his eyes widened. He looked absolutely stunned—as if he’d seen a ghost—making Yujeong unconsciously tilt her head.
“Please stand behind the groom.”
At the photographer’s direction, he hurried into place. CEO Baek’s secretary fussed over him, fixing his disheveled clothes before the photographer began. Even during the photo shoot, his gaze stayed fixed on Yujeong. Feeling awkward under the intensity of his stare, she looked away.
“So… CEO Baek’s older brother is actually actor Gogyeol? Oh my goodness.”
Secretary Yoon was speechless, and Yujeong looked again as well. Gogyeol smiled at her—an unmistakably lovestruck smile, like the male lead of a romance film.
